Watch Me (Private Listing #1)

I stand and straighten my skirt. My gaze locks with Blake’s as he stalks toward me. He’s thicker than the others. Not heavy, just more built. My heartbeat races. His lips press into a fine line. I’m not sure I’ve seen him smile for real.

“We’ll start on this floor and work our way down.” He holds out his arm toward the conference room, and I step in that direction.

His hand lands on the small of my back, sending a scatter of sparks licking along my nerve endings. His heat engulfs me as we walk side by side. The perfect blend of spices mixes with his natural scent, making me want to lean into him.

“This is our conference room. We hold executive meetings on Wednesday afternoons and touch base on Friday before the end of the day. For outside vendor meetings, we use the conference room on the sixth floor.”

“Do I attend as well?” I ask as my gaze gets caught on the skyline out the windows.

“Of course.” Blake leads me away from the conference room. “Seth’s, mine, Cooper’s, and Noah’s offices. Please knock and wait for an acknowledgment before walking into any of our offices.”

He turns me down a short hall I hadn’t noticed before. Probably because I was too busy checking out my bosses. I feel heat swell in my cheeks.

“Our kitchen is in here. You’re welcome to bring lunch if you’d like. We’ll also go out to eat or order in frequently. You can always order in with us and work through lunch if needed. If we are going out, it’s usually with a client and you are expected to attend. Those will be on your calendar.”

The break room/kitchen is neat and organized. A fresh pot of coffee sits in the coffee machine. There’s a small dishwasher.

“First thing in the morning, unload the dishwasher and start the first pot of coffee.” Blake shows me where everything goes and then guides me out of the kitchen to the elevators.

“The top four floors are the most important for you. This floor. The apartments. Coop told you about groceries, correct?”

I nod as I step into the elevator. “Order and receive.”

“A list should be on your computer, including acceptable substitutions, and will be updated every Monday by three. Groceries should arrive by four. Your ID badge will allow you onto the floor and into the main apartment so you can put away the groceries. You’ll meet the delivery person on the first floor and ride the elevator with them to and from delivery.”

I inhale, wishing I’d brought a notebook along. This is a lot.

“No one besides us is allowed alone in the apartment or on the top floor.” Blake’s eyes blaze down at me.

“Of course,” I manage to get out, feeling a brief rush of fear and desire combine within me. He’s so large and in charge and intimidating.

“Good.” He nods as the elevator doors open. “This elevator is only for our use. Never let anyone ride with you in it unless you have express permission. You have to have an access card to use it.”

Okay, that’s a little weird, but I can do that. He shows me around the lower levels. We breeze past people working, and he never stops to introduce me to anyone. I see some women my age at the end of the hallway and give them a smile.

A tall brunette gives me a once-over and sneers before turning to whisper something to the others. I take a breath. Okay, not the group of girls to hang out with. I’m sure there will be someone else. We continue walking, and I’m already regretting wearing my brand-new shoes without breaking them in, but I don’t pause or plead for mercy.

Blake stops before a woman about my age with her brown hair pulled into a bun and glasses sliding down the end of her nose. When she startles and looks up at him with big blue eyes, she swallows. “Mr. Wagner?”

“Hope Williams, this is Madison Harris.”

I hold out my hand to shake Hope’s. Her eyes flow over me, but not like that other woman’s did. Hope just looks curious.

“I’ll need you to train Madison on the computer systems.” Blake stands with his arms crossed over his chest, all intimidation.

Hope nods. “Of course. What time?”

“Around four thirty. Can you work late?” Blake’s eyes never leave Hope’s. “You two can get started and then work on it tomorrow morning as well.”

“Yes, sir.” She swallows again and then turns to me and gives me a genuine smile. “Here’s my card with my direct line on it. Call me when you’re ready, and I’ll meet you at the elevator.”

Smiling, I take the card. “Thank you.”

Blake gives her a nod before he leads me down the hallway, listing off dozens of names and positions. I definitely need a directory for this place, and a map.

He seems determined to show me the entire building before we return to the top floor. I rest against the back wall of the elevator and lift each of my feet up off my shoes for a moment.

“Questions?” Blake settles against a wall and watches me closely.